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  • Author Author: tariq.ahmad
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Webinar Poll: Where Are You In Your Engineering Career?

Are you a recent college grad looking to find an entry level engineering career?  Are you looking to get back into engineering after taking a different career path?  Your career path is as unique as you are and we are looking to gain more insight in are members as we continue to explore engineering careers on the element14 community!

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  • I am not an engineer, because I haven't finished the university. I tried to study on two universities, EE, then IT, but then went to work as I wanted to be closer to real-life applications as soon as possible. I got my job in IT, but currently work in a hardware company (testing components, firmware, overseeing the firmware development process etc.), because of my life-long interests in electronics (and activity I presented on E14). So I guess I don't fit into any of the categories above.

     

    I am still curious whether it is possible for people like me (without formal education) to get a job in a field they love and get the knowledge and experience later. I guess it is all about people around you. I know I will never get the skills as many of the engineers here on E14, but with the current lack of employees there might be higher chances to get on some entry level position and work hard to learn more.

  • in reply to koudelad

    "it is possible for people like me (without formal education) to get a job in a field they love"

    I think it is possible, but it probably isn't any easier than getting a degree.

    Companies tend to specify degrees as pre-requisites in their job descriptions. However this is a shortcut aimed at filtering out applicants that have a certain level of knowledge, a certain level of learning ability and a certain ability to complete work. If you can demonstrate these qualities and a good attitude, some managers will see past the degree requirement.

    It is possible to write a resume that suitably impresses the reader before they figure out the accomplishments didn't start with a degree.

    I guess I am some sort of example - when I landed my first official engineering job I did not have a degree or a diploma, I had never even officially graduated from high school. But I had a good story...image.

    I had jumped from grade 11 (5th form) high school to university (because it was cheaper than going to boarding school), and I had completed 3 of 4 years towards an engineering degree, and I had demonstrated a lot of work ethic in my summer jobs and I had some technical summer jobs. And they needed an engineer - they had a contract to complete and their engineer had quit. And I could start the day after my last 3rd year exam. It sounded better than a summer job, and I needed money, so I went for it. I enjoyed that job so much more than going to school.

    Two years later, I went back and completed my degree. I didn't learn anything that year, except how to rack up a massive debt. But the degree did open doors that would have been tough to get through otherwise.

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  • in reply to koudelad

    "it is possible for people like me (without formal education) to get a job in a field they love"

    I think it is possible, but it probably isn't any easier than getting a degree.

    Companies tend to specify degrees as pre-requisites in their job descriptions. However this is a shortcut aimed at filtering out applicants that have a certain level of knowledge, a certain level of learning ability and a certain ability to complete work. If you can demonstrate these qualities and a good attitude, some managers will see past the degree requirement.

    It is possible to write a resume that suitably impresses the reader before they figure out the accomplishments didn't start with a degree.

    I guess I am some sort of example - when I landed my first official engineering job I did not have a degree or a diploma, I had never even officially graduated from high school. But I had a good story...image.

    I had jumped from grade 11 (5th form) high school to university (because it was cheaper than going to boarding school), and I had completed 3 of 4 years towards an engineering degree, and I had demonstrated a lot of work ethic in my summer jobs and I had some technical summer jobs. And they needed an engineer - they had a contract to complete and their engineer had quit. And I could start the day after my last 3rd year exam. It sounded better than a summer job, and I needed money, so I went for it. I enjoyed that job so much more than going to school.

    Two years later, I went back and completed my degree. I didn't learn anything that year, except how to rack up a massive debt. But the degree did open doors that would have been tough to get through otherwise.

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